Pakistani premier briefs Iran president ahead of possible US talks

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday held a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, updating him on his recent three-nation tour ahead of a potential second round of talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif discussed his engagements with the leadership of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Türkiye as part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to broker a negotiated settlement to the Middle East conflict.

Consensus building for dialogue

Sharif described his interactions as “most helpful” in building consensus in support of a sustained process of dialogue and diplomacy aimed at bringing lasting peace to the region. He thanked the Iranian leadership for their “constructive” conversations with Pakistan’s army chief, Gen. Asim Munir, during his three-day visit to Tehran earlier this week. Sharif also conveyed his “respectful regards” to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

Second round expected Tuesday

Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to “honest and sincere efforts to advance regional peace and security.” Pezeshkian thanked Sharif and Munir for Pakistan’s strong commitment to peace efforts. Islamabad is expected to host the second round of US-Iran talks on Tuesday, even as the two sides exchange accusations of violating the fragile two-week ceasefire set to expire April 22. Iran has called US demands “excessive, unreasonable, and unrealistic,” while a White House official confirmed that VP JD Vance and envoys Witkoff and Kushner will travel to Pakistan for the new round.